2024 saw one of the worst defensive lines in recent memory at Washington. The combination of graduation, transfers, and injury meant the remaining healthy D-linemen were asked to play more snaps late in the season. The final regular season game was a matchup with Oregon who had the #1 offense in the Big 10 and a top five running game. The Huskies had fallen apart up front. They were near the bottom of the Big 10 Conference at 16, giving up 150 yards a game.
Fast forward a year and the room is deep with a few potential stars in the rotation. This coaching staff has worked hard to fix the talent void left after the mass exodus after the 2023 National Championship and set up the position group for the 2025 season and for years to come.
Returners: Jayvon and Armon Parker, unheralded recruits discovered by Courtney Morgan under Kalen DeBoer, look to both be ready to take the jump into a featured role. Jayvon was on the verge of stardom last year until an injury at Rutgers ended his season. Armon has struggled with injury throughout his career but was the better prospect coming out of high school.
The twins are both relatively healthy. Jayvon might be brought along slowly before the schedule gets tougher in late September. When available he brings an ability to get after the passer through collapsing the pocket as well as a potential elite run stopper. Armon on the other hand will get to introduce himself to fans when he sees significant reps this season.
Fisch and co. was able to snag Garden City’s Bryce Butler out of the jr. college ranks after taking the job. Butler had really intriguing JUCO film and showed an explosive burst to beat inside O-linemen before they could get their hands on him. He had to leave the program for a while during the season, but is back and should play a role similar to a Levi Onwuzurike.
Elinneus Davis is yet another 300+ body who was forced into action. Davis played in all but one game over the season. He showed flashes of his potential in big games like Michigan and USC.
One other returner who will be in the rotation is senior giant Logan Sagapolu. Sagapolu tips the scales at nearly 350 pounds. He was effective in spots as a run stopper, but wasn’t able to be effective in the snaps he was forced to play last year. This year he has shed weight and should be more relied upon to lean on conference O-lines.
Transfers: The talk around Simote Pepa is that he is all conference if he is healthy. He was a first team All-Pac 12 in 2022 but has had trouble staying healthy since. Pepa also weighs in at 350 pounds and will be a potential starter in the conference schedule.
Anterio Thompson makes the move back to the conference after transferring from Iowa to Central Michigan and now to Washington. Thompson is the fastest D-lineman in the position group. He runs like an Edge and might move out there at times. He will be a 3-down lineman because of his ability to rush the passer from the interior.
The final rotational player, Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei is another excellent rotational piece that can defend against the run as an edge setter and be a pass-rusher from the inside of the line.
Freshmen: In their first full recruiting cycle the staff went out and got some potential future stars. The freshman class is diverse in skills and could make a line similar to the line fans saw in 2016. While most should redshirt, the one who might burn theirs would be Omar Khan. Khan is already 6-3, 310 pounds and is excellent with his hands. He was a high level wrestler in school and could find a role as early as this year.
This is the group that will give the rest of the program a chance to get to 10 wins. The depth and overall improvement from last season will give them a chance in the running game. Quarterback won’t be able to feel comfortable in a perfect pocket, and the linebackers should be free to flow to the ball.
Washington has become a a preseason darling in the media, if they meet those expectations look no further than this position group.
